I have a large, 4m, sailplane that I'm about to build. It looks like the Spektrum DX6i I recently purchased does not have enough channel capasity for what I'm building. I'll have flaps, ailerons, rudder, elevator, and throttle. Yes, it's electro. But I thought I would spread this question around the other sailplane forums to see what turns up. As always, I'm shopping on a seriously tight budget. So tight, I may have to buy used and a piece at a time.

If you are serious about scale, the more channels the better.

JR: 9503 (9 ch), 11X (11 ch), 12X (12 ch)

Spectrum: DX8 (8 ch) or DX18 (18 ch although only the first 12 are proportional, the rest are for accessories)

You get the drift, Futaba has radios up to 18 channels, Airtronics and Hitec have 10 and 7 channel radios. Yes, you can do a lot with Y cords, but nothing makes programming easier than a servo/channel per surface.

I suggest you save your pennies and buy the best, highest capability radio you can.

Dito

Plus, consider a good used JR XP9303 module based system. Being module based you can use nearly whatever system receivers you desire; DSM2, XPS, Assan, Flysky, Futaba and so on 2.4.

I have seen good used units here on RCG for around two bills.

http://www.google.com/search?q=XP930...=2133&bih=1078


Jared

The new Jeti's look nice too.
http://www.espritmodel.com/jeti-dupl...nly-radio.aspx
You can also use Match Box and other channel expanders but in the end it ends up costing about the same as a high end radio and the install is much more complex.
The Futaba S-bus can make installing lots of servos neater and easier.

8 ch is not enough channels. Get a 10/12 or 18.
Ail 1
Ail 2,
Flap 1,
Flap 2,
Air brake 1,
Air brake 2,
Rudder,
Elevator,
Tow release,
Gear,
Motor

There's 11 for a standard 4m such as an aSW 20. Go bigger and you could have another 4 for additional ailerons/flaps and 1 for redundant elevator.

Airtronics SD-10G. Can't say enough good things about it.

Plenty of Futaba 9c radios out there at good used prices, some even with a 2.4 module. A great radio that also has specific sailplane programming.
You may also want to check out some of the other brands on 72 mhz, many have upgradable modules for 2.4 available

Tony

I might add that any radio with side sliders is a good idea for sailplanes-- especially powered sailplanes. I have a big motorglider with spoilers, and I use the throttle stick for engine throttling, and a side slider (JR9503 radio) for my spoilers. Without the slider, I would have to use a switch for spoilers (all up/ all down). That works, but not as well as proportional.

Futaba 14MZ

I only use sliders until I have the camber amounts for the various flight modes ironed out, then disable them.

Originally Posted by flying jeep

I have a large, 4m, sailplane that I'm about to build. It looks like the Spektrum DX6i I recently purchased does not have enough channel capasity for what I'm building. I'll have flaps, ailerons, rudder, elevator, and throttle. Yes, it's electro. But I thought I would spread this question around the other sailplane forums to see what turns up. As always, I'm shopping on a seriously tight budget. So tight, I may have to buy used and a piece at a time.

So, back to the original question. There is no mention of "Scale"; in fact it sounds non-scale and as stated, just looking in various forums for ideas. There is also a mention of a "seriously tight budget".

Therefore, jumping in with "ya gotta have 8-10-12-14 channels (pick one) for your future scale happiness" (or words to that effect) isn't helping. The fact is, he can fly the electric sailplane with his 6 channel radio, with flaps on a y-lead with adjustment, controlled by a slider. Dgliderguy has it pegged.

Dave Smith

Hitech Araura 9 might be the answer..... great value for money!

Graupner MC 19 And newer

Since the question was posted in the Scale forum, assuming future scale planes is not unreasonable.

If you are looking for easy glider setup, radio range to no end, telemetry and great support you should seriously look at the Hitec Aurora A9. It is priced way below some of the mainstream brands and is a bargain in my opinion.